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Tallaght gets second CT scanner

Dublin’s Tallaght Hospital has installed a new CT scanner with a difference.

i got to use this piece of kit yesterday the 07/01/2013 all i say is its awesome

The state-of-the-art scanner is housed in a unit that has been installed with a ‘sky ceiling’ just above the equipment that allows adult and child patients to see an image of a sky, trees and balloons during the scanning process.

Research shows that having access to soothing nature imagery reduces stress and anxiety and can aid healing in healthcare settings.

The scanner also includes a larger than normal aperture – 78 centimetres – which makes it easier to scan larger patients.

Consultant radiologist Dr Orla Buckley told irishhealth.com the new Toshiba Prime Aquilon scanner is the first of its type in the country.

She said its technology provides for more accurate and enhanced patient testing and diagnosis at a lower dose of radiation, and it has a wider range of applications than older scanners.

Dr Buckley had seen the sky ceiling in use when she previously worked in Boston, and she felt the installation of such a ceiling with the new scanner at Tallaght would help enhance the experience of both child and adult patients.

She said it would also lessen the need for patients to be sedated for scans, as patients can often feel claustrophobic when undergoing this type of test.

Tallaght has been operating with only one CT scanner until now, and having the new scanner is expected to lead to a significant reduction in waiting times.

The scanner equipment cost €600,000 with funding provided by the HSE, while Meath Foundation provided the funds for the sky ceiling installation.

Dr Buckley, along with consultant radiologist Dr William Torreggiani, lead radiographer Barry Callinan and Matt Corcoran of Toshiba worked together on the introduction of the new scanner to Tallaght.